Chic on a Shoestring by Mary Jane Baxter

a fabulous book that I can’t quite put down! Far removed from my normal fare, this is a craft book called ‘Chic on a Shoestring’. Being a lover of all things thrifty and chic, it had me at ‘hello’!
-Vintage Life

Chic on a Shoestring is your entrée into the world of high fashion that will inspire you to create your own covetable clothes and accessories. Learn to transform ornate trims and vintage buttons into spectacular brooches, craft a favorite silk scarf into a chic top, or rework flea market shoes into fashionable showstoppers.

With more than 40 unique and stylish ideas—including quick and easy no-sew projects—Chic on a Shoestring will inspire first-time and experienced crafters alike.

Mary Jane Baxter is a writer and craft expert. She worked as a BBC journalist for 12 years before leaving her job as a reporter to train as a couture hat maker. She runs textile and millinery courses across Europe and writes and reports on fashion, craft, and creativity for the BBC, Guardian (UK), Sew magazine, and Cloth.

Mommy's Memorandum

May 19 2012

One of the best things about Chic On a Shoe String is that it teaches how to recycle and repurpose so many things from old clothes to broken necklaces. A ribbon becomes a belt, shoe laces a charismatic choker and a silk scarf a summer top. It’s a fun way to learn to sew and build a wardrobe.

I knit and Sew What?

Reviewed by Popbabe7
on
Aug 19 2012

The photos are amazingly inspirational, the illustration are very cute and with simple ideas Mary Jane shows us how to unleash our creativity and make simple but highly stylish projects look oh-so-special.